This article draws on Han Feizi’s Xian Xue to critique manipulative workplace moral rhetoric such as big‑picture thinking, selflessness and gratitude. It advocates cross-checking and verification, judging claims by tangible substance rather than noble‑sounding language.
This Han Feizi ‑ Chapter 51 (Loyalty and Filial Piety) challenges traditional sage‑king narratives. It stresses unchanging hierarchical order, prioritizing law over reputed worth, and dismisses empty diplomatic vertical‑horizontal alliance theories.
This commentary on Zhuangzi – Zhile argues chasing joy brings misery. It interprets core parables including Zhuangzi singing at his wife’s death, the skull’s dream and the sea‑bird fable, advocating wu‑wei and non‑clinging.
This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Qiushui explores perspective relativity via He Bo’s humbling encounter with the ocean. It analyzes the well‑frog parable and the fish‑joy debate, urging us to transcend narrow mental boundaries.
This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Shanxing critiques worldly self‑improvement as self‑defeating. It advocates inner tranquility over accumulating knowledge, warning against becoming “inverted people” who lose their true nature to external things or status.
This commentary on Zhuangzi ‑ Keyi critiques forced self‑striving. Using the still‑water metaphor, it advocates wu‑wei: drop grasping external ideals, let the mind settle, and respond naturally rather than forcing self‑improvement.
— by Tao Yuanming (Jin Dynasty) Preface: My family was poor, and farming could not support us. The children were many, and the jars had no grain. I knew no way to secure a livelihood. Relatives and friends advised me to take a minor official post. I was tempted, but had no means to…